HISTORY

From the '30s up until the '70s, the old scholars of C.B.C. played for Christian Brothers O.C., commonly known as C.B.O.C. (pronounced 'Seebok'). During this period and particularly in the later years, C.B.O.C. also catered for students from Rostrevor College and Sacred Heart College.

Then in 1974 the name was changed to Rostrevor O.C., presumably reflecting the dominance of players coming from Rostrevor College. However, in the centenary year of C.B.C. school, 1978, the old scholars club was reformed under the guidance of Danny Farrugia & Mick Tomney this time under the name of CBC Old Collegians. The new club was nicknamed "The Brothers".

The club constitution sets out that the club was established "To promote and encourage the playing of the game known as Australian Rules Football and any other games of manly sport by Old Scholars of Christian Brothers College of Wakefield Street Adelaide in the State of South Australia"

The club entered two teams in Division A5 of the SA Amateur Football League during its first season (1978) and commenced using the Bartels Road oval as it's home ground and wearing the famous purple & white vertical striped guernsey. Both the oval and the guernsey are still in use today. The club finished 5th in it's first season and reached the Grand Final in it's second (1979).

In 1986 the then A Grade coach, Mark Travers, suggested a change of image to bolster the club and the official nickname was changed from "The Brothers" to "The Dolphins" reflecting the school crest.

C Grade and B Grade Premierships came in 1984 and 1987 respectively but it wasn't until 1990 that the club first tasted A Grade success. Former West Torrens Captain Aldo Floreani took over the coaching duties in 1989 and added some much needed steel to an already talented group. With the addition of some exciting youngsters from the First 18 and 86 goals of his own boot, at the ripe old age of 42 Aldo claimed the title of our first A Grade Premiership coach when we won the 1990 flag against the more fancied Campbelltown Magill.

Suburban football in Adelaide went through quite a turbulent time throughout the early to mid nineties with the collapse of a number of leagues. Many teams folded or merged during this period, ultimately finding their way into the Amateur competition. Despite having one of our strongest ever playing groups, we found ourselves competing against large district clubs who were coming into Amateur League at the time, and further Premiership success proved to be elusive.

We had to wait 14 years for our next A Grade flag when Rocky Butterworth and Jason Austin led the troops in the "Miracle at Salisbury" in 2004. CBCOC's triumphed against all odds when it took on the undefeated Fitzroy. The boys led all day only to be headed with a minute remaining. John Palmer managed to kick the ball forward from a stoppage that cleared the heads of the pack and was perfectly roved by Andy McInnerney. With seconds remaining, Macca duly dribbled through the winner from point blank range.

Following the 2004 Flag CBCOC's played in the 2006 and 2009 Grand Finals losing both before we once again tasted A Grade success in 2018. Playing coach Cail Harris led the Dolphins to a remarkable double with both the A Grade and B Grade raising the Premiership Cup. The A Grade had the greatest season in club history to date culminating in a 70 point demolition of Woodville South in the Grand Final.

Records tumbled throughout the season. We won 18 consecutive games. We won our home 2nd Semi Final against Pulteney by 140 points. Our average winning margin across the season was 75 points. We had the highest percentage of any Amateur Club in the 2018 season and we were the only club to complete the A Grade / B Grade double.

2018 also marked our 40th year Anniversary. The club celebrated in style by naming our best 40 players of all time. 6 time DL Farrugia Medalist Paul Vance was selected in position 1. The top 10 players are listed below.

1. Paul Vance

2. Justin Scanlon

3. Michael Kieboom

4. John Palmer

5. Josh Hegarty

6. Andrew Fabbro

7. Liam Threadgold

8. Alan Magitich

9. Jess Rivers

10. Paul Wadsworth

2019 would see the A Grade go back to back for the first time in our history winning the Division 4 Flag by knocking over Edwardstown by 26 points in a brutal Grand Final at St Marys.  The bodies were flying from everywhere in the first half and the Dolphins were down to 2 on the bench but we steadied in the third to open up the match winning lead. Jake Johansen judged best afield in a dominant display.  12 men would become dual A Grade Premiership players. 

After 3 turbulent years in Division  3 battling our way through COVID we found ourselves relegated to Division 4 for the 2023 season. Two time Premiership Coach Cail Harris resigned so we were on the hunt for a new Senior Coach. After a long and extensive search the committee decided to take a punt on an  untried 29 year old player coach in Brett Simpson.

It proved to be an inspired appointment with the first time coach booting over 60 goals for the year and galvanising a young playing group who would finish 3rd after the home and away season.

Following a 48 point away final loss to Lockleys the boys re grouped to beat Plympton at Dolphin Park before taking on Flag Favourites Pooraka at the Bay in the Prelim Final. 

The Dolphins would dominate the game from the opening bounce sending Pooraka packing in straight sets to the tune of 46 points setting up a dream Grand Final with arch rival Lockleys. 

On another warm September day at Campbelltown Oval the Dolphins started slowly against  Lockleys falling behind by 14 points at the first change in a quarter dominated by the favourites. By halftime however  the tables had been turned with the boys trailing by 3 points after grinding their way back into the game. 

The second half was all CBC as the young legs started to run harder than their Lockleys opponents and by three quarter time it was the Dolphins by 15 points. With a huge CBC crowd urging the boys on and a nice little breeze kicking up from the south the boys powered home to win by 39 points in a game for the ages. 

Sam Raymond best with Cal Atkinson booting 4 majors in the 14.17 to 8.14 victory. It would be the Dolphins 3rd A Grade flag in 6 years with 5 men, Matt Raymond, Sam Raymond, Jonty Rutai, Nathan Byrnes and Danny Aplin becoming triple premiership players having played in the 2018, and 2019 Flags. 

The club still maintains its strong ties to the school with many ex-students (and teachers) playing for the club and upholding the schools name.

Our core values are Strength, Respect and Loyalty. These underpin everything we do and everything we say. Purple is the colour of success. Cheers Boys Cheers.


Premierships

1984 – A10 (C Grade)

1987 – A5R (B Grade)

1990 – A5 (A Grade)

1993 – A11 (C Grade)

2004 – Division 5 (A Grade)

2012 – C4 (C Grade)

2014 – Division 5R (B Grade)

2016 – C6 (C Grade)

2018- Division  5R (B Grade)

2018- Division  5 (A Grade)

2019-Division 4 (A Grade)

2023-Division 4 (A Grade)

League Medallists

Till Morelli – 1984 (Division A10)

Mark Bryson – 1998 (Division 10 South)

Cail Harris – 2015 (Division 5)

Phil Remphrey – 2015 (Division 5R)

Records

Most Games – Matthew Kromwyk, 336 games

Most Goals – Michael Kieboom, 546 goals in 113 games

DL Farrugia Medal – Paul Vance, 6 times A Grade Best & Fairest

Club Coaches

1978-82 – Rod Graham

1983 – Errol Hanna/Paul Quinn

1984-88 – Mark Travers

1989-93 – Aldo Floreani

1994 – Brian Clarke

1995-97 – Simon Trenorden

1998-00 – Rocky Butterworth

2001 – Craig Watts

2002-08 – Rocky Butterworth

2009-12 – Darren Jarman

2013 – 2016: Aldo Floreani

2017 -  2022  Cail Harris

2023 - Present Brett Simpson